When it comes to pruning, the general rule is to do so in late winter or early spring. While that holds true for many trees and shrubs, there are several types that need to be pruned throughout the summer. Here are some examples:
Spring-Flowering Shrubs
These bushes set their flower buds for next year during the late summer. Pruning them immediately after they finish blooming allows the plant to heal and set buds properly.
- Forsythia (trim back to shape and encourage new growth)
- Weigela (remove spent flowers to shape the plant)
- Rhododendrons and Azaleas (carefully snap off dead flower clusters)
Summer-Blooming Hydrangeas
Bigleaf (Mophead) & Oakleaf Hydrangeas: Prune these only after they finish blooming. Cut right above the first set of healthy buds beneath the spent flower head.
Broadleaf Evergreens and Hedges
Early to mid-summer is the ideal time to give evergreen hedges and shrubs a "haircut" because they can harden off new growth before fall.
- Boxwood (shape lightly; avoid heavy shearing that cuts into bare wood)
- Holly (light shaping)
- Privet (trim to maintain hedges)
Roses
Summer maintenance is all about encouraging continuous blooms.
- Re-blooming/Repeat Roses: Deadhead (snip off) spent blooms throughout the summer. Cut the stem down to the first five-leaflet leaf to encourage new growth.
- Climbing Roses: Trim back long side-shoots to keep them tidy after their first major flush of flowers.
Vines and Wispy Shrubs
- Wisteria: Prune back long, wispy green side-shoots to about 20 centimeters (or 5-6 leaves) to encourage flower bud formation for the following year.
- Butterfly Bush (Buddleja): If needed for space, you can lightly reduce overgrown stems after they flower, though hard pruning is best left for early spring.
Of course, if you'd rather spend your summer days hiking the trails, paddling the rivers or traveling, you can always contact the pros at TPS Landscaping and we'd be happy to give you a quote on maintaining your landscape.